Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-01-12
The Book of Thomas J. Cluverius.

The Richmond Dispatch of Sunday in
In reference to the publication of the book
written by Thomas ]. Cluverius to reim-
burse his aunt, Mrs. Tunstal, for the money
she has expended in his behalf, says
"Several offers were made for the pur-
chase of Cluverius's history of his life; but
the decision has been made that the MS.
will not be sold, but will be published by
an agent of the family, and the proceeds
will go to the REIN amusement of Mrs. Jane
Tunstall, the prisoners aunt, to whom he
is indebted for his collegiate education, for
his professional start in life, and, more than
al, f r furnishing funds fer his defence.
Her expenses on this account have footed
up probably more than seven OF eight thou
sand dollars, and have nearly extirpated her
fortune. Besides lawyers fees-which,
from all accounts, were moderate-sxpend-
itures had to be made to hunt up witnesses,
to prosecute inquiries of various sorts, to
pay for certain stenographic work at the
trial, to pay for printing, &c., &c.
Without Mrs. Tunstall's assistance it
seems unlikely that Cluverius could have
made the prolonged fight that he has, and
he shows sense of gratitude in wishing to
do something towards restoring, in part at
least, the fortune she has poured out for
him.
Cluverius, writes quite well. His life's
history outside of the crims is very short
one, and probably does not occupy much
space in the book. As for the rest it is q
declaration of innocence and an examina-
tion Of the testimony upon which he was
convicted He writes a small running
hand, rather precise, though he does not at
| all times defer to the rules of punctuation,
even as to fnll stops.
The fact that he has written this book
| from the standpoint lie has always main
tanned; that his relatives are about to in
cur large expense in publishing it, and
| the stout stuff of which the fellow seems to
be made, rather encourages the idea that
no matter what others similarly accused
may have done he will die declaring his
| innocence.
There are some who have opportunities
| for frequent conversations with the pris-
oner who predict that he will confess
Most others about him, however, believe
that he will not. Two of our brethren of
the press have ever maintained that when
they communicated to him the fact that
the Supreme Court Of Appeals had knocked
the last prop from under him, by refusing
him rehearing, Cluverius said, in SUBJ
stance, that if he had to die he would i'm
plicate others. But this he has ever denied,
and the press have let the matter rest as
being a thing where a misunderstanding
was possible. If confession is ever made
it will not be until he is satisfied of the fact
of which the general public pretty con-
fident-that Governor Lee will not further
interfere with the course of the law by any
further rsprieve.
In the event that Cluverius with his latest
breath insists that he is innocent, his book
will sell we'll. In case of confession, the
book, if ever published at ali, will be read
only as one of the euriosities of criminal
literature.
Judging from Willie Clnverius, and Mrs.
Tunstall's affection for the prisoner, un-
questionably they would wish him to do
what is best for his souls salvation, with
out reference to their feelings or supposed
| interests